Sign up for any workshop by emailing wes@rajayogaphilly.com
June 1st, Saturday 2-5 p.m.
Exploring Inversions With Erin Zuccaro
Learn to go upside down in this informative and fun workshop. We will explore the foundations and techniques for safely and effectively practicing key inversions, including handstand, forearm stand, headstand, and shoulder stand. This workshop will blend theory and practice as we will actually experience the anatomy and philosophy behind the postures. All levels are welcome; we will offer variations an modifications so that everyone can receive the benefits of these inversions.
Cost of the workshop is $40, or $30 for Raja Yoga class card holders. Workshop will likely be capped at 12 participants.
June 22nd, Saturday 2-5 p.m.
Arm Balances With Erin Zuccaro
In this workshop we will explore a variety of arm balances in a safe and supportive environment. We will use physical alignment and energetic techniques (and helpful props) to uncover the key to more fully experiencing these postures. As we deepen our understanding of the poses, we can move into and out of them with greater ease, mindfulness and joy. Some of the poses which will be covered are: talasana (scale), bakasana (crow/crane), parshva bakasana (side crow/open leg crow), astavakrasana (8 angle pose), tittibhasana (firefly), bhujapidasana (shoulder press), mayurasana (peacock), eka pada koundiyasana 1 +2, parshva bhuja dandasana (dragonfly).
Cost is $40, or $30 for Raja Yoga class card holders.
June 23rd, Sunday 2-5 p.m.
Yoga For Climbers With Ryan Nelling
The only thing better than climbing, is the ability to do even more climbing! Yoga is the perfect physical and mental complement to a demanding day on rock or ice. This workshop will cover stretches that help to warm up, cool down, and repair the main muscles and joints used when climbing. Also, we’ll practice simple breathing techniques that aid in maintaining a clear head space and increase oxygen content in the muscles – helping to fight off that vicious pump. Come stretch with some fellow climbers and set off on your next adventure armed with the tools to stay loose, limber, and calm!
Ryan has been practicing yoga since 2009, and completed a teacher training at Raja Yoga in 2012. He enjoys all disciplines of rock and ice climbing and the solitude found in the mountains. He has returned home safely from The Sierras, Tetons, Dragoons, Catalinas, Whites, Catskills, Adirondacks, and Shawangunks.
Cost is $40, or $30 for Raja Yoga class card holders.
July 20th, Saturday 2-5 p.m.
Strong: Asana, Movement & Mobility, With Q Xavier – Yogi and Personal Trainer
I have been there…deep into practice and unable to complete a transition, asana, or movement. Chaturanga dandasana is floppy & uncontrolled, downward-facing dog is causing shoulder, back & arm fatigue, shoulder, forearm, hand balances/inversions are just not stable. At first this is often let go as “I am a beginner” or “I must give it time.” Then time passes, and after many sessions the same sticking point is revealing itself. This sticking point is clouding the practice, and becomes a source of frustration. The purpose of the this workshop is to alleviate these sticking points. Through a combination of practical movement tips and principles, coupled with appropriate and strategic strength training, many of the yoga postures which seemed out of reach can be mastered. We must be limber and flexible, but also strong and controlled. Achieving this allow us to get the most out of our asana practice, completely open, balance, and strengthen the body, and be more prepared for the higher practices of yoga such as meditation. No matter what your current level, this workshop will help you.
Be strong. Be powerful. Join us.
Cost is $40, or $30 for Raja Yoga class card holders.
TBA
Meditation Level 1 – Building a Foundation
Start to de-stress! In this introductory workshop you will learn:
* To sit in a comfortable meditation pose, either on the floor or in a chair.
* A short hatha routine (6 poses) to prepare you for practice.
* To breath deeply and diaphragmatically, an essential prerequisite to meditation.
* The difference between contemplation and meditation and how they work together.
* A simple mantra to meditate on which is coordinated with the breath.
* To understand the 8 limbs of Raja Yoga, and the place of meditation within them.
* To identify and remove many of the common obstacles to effective meditation.
Cost of the workshop is $75, or $60 for Raja Yoga class card holders. This is the first in a two level training sequence, for more information see the MEDITATION page of the website.
TBA
Meditation Level 2 – Intermediate Meditation
In this intermediate level workshop, you will learn:
Two more mantras, and the advantages of using mantras of different lengths.
Pranayama techniques to energize, detoxify, and improve your focus.
How to decrease your stress level using biofeedback.
How brainwaves underlie or determine your state of consciousness.
A roadmap of mental and physical changes which may occur during meditation.
This workshop completes your training in this series and qualifies you to attend Raja Yoga advanced meditation out-of-town retreats as well as a soon to come weekly, private meditation class for alumni of this training. Cost is $75, or $60 for Raja Yoga regular class card holders.
TBA
Chinese Therapeutic Massage With Glenn Gruby, Licensed Acupuncturist
“Tui Na,” or Chinese therapeutic massage, is a wonderfully accessible and effective method for general relaxation and stress reduction as well as treating specific tensions and ailments. Hand techniques are used which apply pressure or put a vibration into the body to break up areas of “chi stagnation,” said to be the cause of most pain and illness in Chinese medicine, and the method requires no removal of clothing. In this interactive workshop, Glenn Gruby will teach you some simple techniques which you will practice on each other and then be able to use on friends and family to help everyone feel better and increase harmony in your life! Glenn will also give an introduction to Chinese medicine theory, and explain how you may benefit from acupuncture and herbal treatments as well.
Cost is $40, or $30 for Raja Yoga class card holders.
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